Amid US President Donald Trump administration’s H-1B visa overhaul, the US State Department’s Hindustani spokesperson Margaret MacLeod laid down where the country stood on the nonimmigrant category that has long been dominated by Indians. At the same time, she also reiterated Washington’s stance on India’s continued trade with Russia and oil purchases from the country despite the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
US State Department officials justifies Trump’s H-1B overhaul
“H-1B is a policy to prioritise investment in the American IT sector,” she said, as per ANI’s report. “We want to invest in American citizens, first and foremost, in training them.” Her comments stand by how many critics, including Elon Musk, have long argued about H-1B holder taking over work opportunities that could’ve been take on by the American workforce.
MacLeod’s justification comes shortly after Trump signed a proclamation imposing $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications. The move that has shaken Silicon Valley ever since aligns with the American leader’s staggering tariffs — all focussed on doubling down on domestic production and cutting down reliance on foreign sources.
US official on US vs Russia
Further standing by the Republican US president, the State Department official asserted that Trump was keen on ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. Highlighting America’s decision to minimise trade with Russia, MacLeod that as long as the country “makes income by exporting oil,… economic resources will be used to purchase weapons.”
She then turned to Trump’s speech at the United National General Assembly, which shaped into an accusatory rant against India and China. Earlier this week, the MAGA leader said, “China and India are the primary funders of the ongoing war by continuing to purchase Russian oil.”
MacLeod alleged the United Nations had “drifted away” from the “primary objective” of focussing on peace, sovereignty and independence, which she also described as the “foundation of a prosperous, stable and peaceful world.” Claiming that the US was prioritising these three goals this year, the State Department official added, “We aim to collaborate with other member states to make the United Nations a more accountable, equitable organisation.”